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Feb. 7, 1956 R. w. LE MIEUX BALL CLEANING AND POLISHING APPARATUS 5Sheets-Sheet l Filed D90. 18. 1950 ff /Z ////M///////// INVENTOR. erZefzlea/z,

BY /w'v 'o M INVENTOR.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 LED.

R. W. LE MIEUX BALL. CLEANING AND POLISHING APPARATUS Feb. 7, 1956 FiledDeo. 18, 195o Feb. 7, 1956 R. w. LE. MlEux 2,733,464

BALL CLEANING AND POLISHING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 18, 1950 5Sheets-Shea?I 5 1N VEN TOR.

R. W. LE MIEUX BALL CLEANING AND FOLISHING APPARATUS Feb. 7, 1956 5Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 18, 1950 INVENTOR.

a /QZ Feb. 7, 1956 R. w. LE MIEUX BALL CLEANING AND POLISHING APPARATUSFiled DGO. 18. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 CU//V SWITCH SHUT-OFF SWITCH GROUNDINVENToR. joer ijle/Vieux,

United States Patent 2,133,464 Y 'BALL.CLEANWG.mlfwismwereaews 5Application December 18,1250,- Sjerial Plo. 201,295 10 lament(Q1-21.57252,

More particularly the invention relates to suchy anv 15 apparatusadapted for 'cleaiiing and ypolis"hing bowling ballsland (the like, andyotherspherical j'objet'swith relatively large"diameters'.

It is the general object ofthe invention to provide a new and improvedapparatus forv automatically cleaning 20 and polishing ballswheeintlieentire s'r'l'ac'eof the ball` is` treated Withoutrequiringmanual'i'nanipulation ofthe b allduring the operation'o'f"tl'iefappartatus.,y

Another Iobject is to'p'rovide" a, cla'ningf and polishing machinehaving avrotatig cleaning'nerriber and aro- 25 tatingpolishing vmembertogether wi'thrivv and improved means for supporting aballvfa'r'ideiectingfccnitactl of the ballfiirst Ywith the cleaning'fmeivberffandfthenwith the polishing member. l r

Another object isito provide such amachine adapted 30 for cleaningandp'c' liishi'n'g` aifbowlingjball 'without "the use' ofla detergent orother' cleaningfiriatriall.

other obets'jndfanng' "gssr'ih mvmin will', become readily uapparentfrom the followingldeta'iled de# sciiption` taken froirf'the" 35 which:vi

`Fig. rlfis aiperspectivevview of abowlingvballclean' g andA polishingmachinewenbdyin'g 'fthe 'preferred fo of the invention; i 'i Fig. Z-sanI enlarged -elevationalrear viewof therrla:V 40 chinewith thecovr'orVtasiifg ved'm; n' iEig. 3 is a similar "sid""'e Ieva`tional ,viewlooking `at the righthandenqfef 2; Fig.- 4 is a topplan i y f-1:"ig.Figi 5- is a 'fragin tary/'vertical lsectionA along `line U. ni-'frm' Ii,uffi

lFig. 16 is a fragmentary vertical section alongv liney 6 6Vof 4; and.,,.nw v if, ,ii-,.1 fr, Y lFig. 7 is `a wiring diagram, i While there""shw'lirltli' drawings andher 'nide 50 scribed inndetail-apreferrediemb' m tion,l it is contemplated "that v made by thoseskilliediri` `with`lit-` the spirit and scope` of'the "infentin a',appended Claims- As shown in Fig. l, the preferred f orrn of,theiiwrivention has arcasing consist O'f'af'fro'nfjpangl'lOg' le,panels 11, a mpnlembrizaagia l. biliaire* lid` has an opening l"14'preferably covered 'bi' or other transparent material softbal operationdi the machine a bau 1s,4 therein ma 'bf'observed 4irroughL the windowofthe lid. liany la a` to raise' the lidv forY the purposeftf` removingor 1n a b aH- It is Q01-lemma@ that .thmaliinwill 65 vided with a manualstartin `sivuvniirlr1A or lternatively, it will belprov'ided wicoin'slotV ce as de; scribed more fully vliereinavli'fe iifcdnnecytionWith the wiringdiagram of-Fig. 7. 'i'

In Figs. '2 to 6 themachine isillustrated with the side panelsN andtheback 'of tlf'casigN-ie'rndved arizdj'als'o without the top tzzandthemira efdjgire clearly; te

ice

show the operating mechanism: This. mechanism is supported on`a framemade' up' o f anglesand channels having a" rectangular 'top' 20,rectangularbottom 21 and corner posts 22; The'` tophasa Ycover plate2S,` and cross members 23 `and 24 extending above the 'plate' 25. v"The'bottom of the framehfs front and rear mem-` bers 26 and side membersf27. A ball cleaning means is shown in: the form of a Wire buier orbrush wheel 30 carried on al `shaft 31 which is rotatablysupporte'd'inbearingiblocks 32 and 33ucarried respectively on lthe members 23 and 24.A ball polishing means is also in theforn'lA of a brush or bnifer wheel36, positioned in laterally spaced and'parallel relation to the cleaningwheelon a Shaft 37 rotatably `supported in bearing blocks'SS and 39 onthe members 23 and24.

The cleaning and polishing wheels are arranged to be driven by anele'ctricrinortor 40 which has apulley 41 over which a V-belt 42 passes.This belt'passes over a pulley 43 on the cleaning wheel shaft 3l and apulley `44 on the polishing wheel shaft 37 so that` when the machine isin' operation the wheels will turn in a clock* wise direction asshown inFig. 2. The mtJtorAilfi's` provided with a hinged mounting having apivot shaft 45 locatedfotf center of Sthe motor shaft 46 as shown inyFig. 2, so that the weightof the motor'acts to maintain the'belt42'under a vsuitable tension. yAV bolt '21' may extend up from .the:bottom '2 1'` and have nutsv Zhf' adjustable to limit the downwardswinging movement offthe motor, if'des'ired.

The preferred` form of the invention is arranged to receive a `balllin aposition"intermediate'the cleaning` and polishing. wheels andincludesmeansfo'r supporting `and" driving the bal l"while the'balhis"in contactf'withoiief Wheel` 0r` the other As shown Vherein,y andlmo'ije'p a'r ticularly in Figs. 4 to ,6, a ballisupporting'"and'fdriviiigmember inthe 'form of. a rolliSl, preferably of rabber orajjlikenmaterial, is "carried: on a shaft "51 rotatablyY supported in.bearingbloclgs S2" and 53 positioned 'oi the `lower portions' ofztlievchannel 'members' '23 `and 221; This shaftfcarries a v.relatively`:large pulley 54* whieh isV arranged, tofhe driven Abfy a Voelt.from a'relatively` small pulleytA on the polishingwheels'haft 37." Thus,"duririgoper'ation of .the machine the drivingroll 'Sil rotates in aclockwise,direetionas viewedin 'Fig.`2.'

It is, contemplated. thatfwhen a ballis inserted 'in the machineitjwillf be placedin'abtthe dash"'lii1e posh tion'B ,(,aSL shown in:Fi'gl` 6) soas tdbesupprted byr the driving 'roll 59, and. the'cleahing'wheelftl." The weight ohthefball the'nacts to press'J the ball'against the, cleaning wheelwith" suicient ,torce to'iperform''thecleaningjoperation. VUponfcompletion of t'liec'leaning operatiofnlthe,ball; is adapted` to he'shifted tothev'pos'i' tivoiilrlf'` (,ajsshoWninEig. 6,).` wherein the Y weight: of theball ,functions ,toVkeepfitfin Contact with' the'y poli-shi ing Whelf. :Duringthe period'ofithecieaning' and polishingoperations itis preferable tooscillatetheball laterallyof` the whjeelsj'iila manner to indexthe bali ani gnlarlyabout a somewhat vertical ,axis"'with respect to the wheels to provide,Contact of `the wheels with the entire. :surface ofthe ball.

As illustrated l1ere1ina meansfor oscillating theball consistsjof japair Ojf lJi-.sliapedniembers 6l) andwhibh cured in nprightk positionand in` laterally spaced re# lationY on a short inverted. channel member62 '(Fi'g.f`6`)j., Preferably thexnembers ,691 a'ndA Glare welded'ftthe' ing downtromtle cov'efpla't rA b direction-s from said member,one end 67 being normally pressed downwardly by a coiled spring 68. Avertically extended rod '69 has a ball and socket joint 70 at its upperend with the other end 71 of the bar 66 and at its lower end has a balland socket joint with an angle member 72 which has a side bore engagingan eccentric pin 73 on a shaft 74. The shaft is rotatably supported in achannel member 75 which is integral with and extends downwardly from thecover plate 25. In order to oscillate the members 60 and 61 from thefull line to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 5, the shaft isdriven by means of a large pulley 76 thereon and a belt 77 connecting toa pulley '7S on shaft 51. During operation of the machine the members 60and 61 are continuously oscillated with a stroke as indicated.

When a bowling ball B is in the position B contacting the cleaning wheel30, the member 60 is effective during its oscillation to roll the ballback and forth on the roll 50 and against the wheel 30. The cleaning andpolishing wheels are preferably composed of sections of diterentdiameters so as to have a spool-like form as shown. As the ball isrolled over the cleaning wheel and engages a larger end portion thereof,it receives an angular indexing motion in addition to that which itwould have rolling against a wheel of uniform diameter. This indexingmotion shifts the ball about a somewhat vertical axisQ As the ballrotates on a somewhat horizontal axis by the driving roll 50, theindexing movements at opposite ends of the wheel are in oppositedirections but also with different portions of the ball uppermost withthe result that a cleaning operation is repeatedly performed over theentire surface of the ball.

Upon completion of the cleaning operation, and to shift the ball fromthe cleaning wheel to the polishing wheel, the machine is provided witha ball shifting member or linger 80, as shown best in Figs. 2, 4, and 6.This member is in the form of a bent bar normally positioned as shown inFig. 2 with its upper end positioned under a ball in the cleaningposition and a lower horizontally extending portion 81 secured inachannel member S2 pivotally supported on a rod 83 extending from theupright channel 75 (see Fig. 5). A timing mechanism is provided toactuate the member 80 so that after a ball has been contacted by thecleaning wheel for a predetermined length of time, the member 80 swingsfrom the position of Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 6 so as to move theball over the roll 50 suiciently to cause it to move into the positionB" in contact with the polishing wheel 36.

As illustrated herein the timing mechanism comprises a toothed ratchetwheel 90 carried on a shaft 91 rotatably supported on members 92 and 93extending downwardly from the cover plate 25. The ratchet wheel carriesan eccentric pin 94 which, during the cleaning operation, moves from theposition shown in Fig. 2 (counterclockwise) until it has almost reachedthe position shown in Fig. 6. The pin 94 then engages the adjacent end81 of the bar 80 and swings it in a clockwise direction to shift theball from the cleaning wheel to the polishingrwheel.

The ratchet wheel 90 is operated by means of a pawl 95 carried on oneend of a rod 96, the other end of the rod being connected to theeccentric pin 73 on the shaft 74. Thus, during each revolution of theshaft 74, the wheel 90 is advanced one tooth position. Preferably, asecond pawl 97 is provided, hung from a pin 97' from the top frame, soas to prevent reverse rotation of the wheel 90.

As shown in the electrical diagram'in Fig. 7, the machine is providedwith an attachment plug 100 adapted for connection to a power source.The lines 101 and 102 extend to contacts 103 and 104, respectively, of arelay device R which has an operating coil 105. Switch element 106 ofthe relay is connected by a wire 107 to one contact of a shut-E switch108. VThe other contact of the shutoil? switch is connected by a wire109 to one contact of a coin-operated switch 110 which is of atype thatcloses and then immediatelyV opens, the other contact of which Visconnected by wires 111 and 112 to line wire 101. This places theshut-off and coin switches in series, the shut-olf switch being normallyclosed. The coil has one terminal connected by a wire 113 to a line wire102 and the other terminal connected by a wire 114 to wire 109. Thispermits the coin switch 110, upon being closed, to cause energization ofthe relay.

Preferably, a manual normally open switch 115 is connected in parallelwith the coin switch 110 by wires 116, 117, so that, alternatively, themachine may be started manually.

One terminal of the motor 40 is connected by a wire 118 to the otherswitch element 119 of relay R so that upon closing, line wire 102 isconnected to the motor. The other terminal of the motor is connected bya wire 120 to one Contact of a lidswitch 121 the other Contact of whichis connected by a wire 122 to wire 107. The lid switch is located on themachine so as to be closed when the lid 13 is closed and therebyprevents starting of the machine if the lid 13 is open. The motor runscontinuously until the cleaning and polishing operations have beencompleted. An eccentric pin 98 on the ratchet wheel 90 is adapted toengage and swing a shut-off arm 125 (which is freely rotatable on shaft91) from the position shown in Fig. 2, through the position shown inFig. 6 and to a vertical position from which it drops in acounter-clockwise direction (Fig. 2) past the switch 108 and back to thebottom position shown. In passing the switch 108 the shut-off armactuates the switch and thereby disconnects the motor. The switch 10S isso mounted that after the shut-off arm passes the switch, the switchcloses and conditions the circuit for a subsequent cycle of operation.

By lifting the lid 13, a bowler may insert his ball in the machine inthe position B' as shown in Figs. l and 6. He then closes the lid 13 andstarts the machine in operation. If a coin device is used the coinswitch 110 is closed by insertion of a coin to effect energization ofthe relay R. If the machine is started manually, the switch 115 ismomentarily closed to close the relay. The shut-oli switch 108 isnormally closed and with the lid shut the lid switch Y 121 is closed.

The ball is inserted in contact with the cleaning wheel 30 and thedriving roll 50 and while being driven by the roll 50 is continuouslyoscillated by the U-shaped member 60. Preferably, the U-shaped membershave tips 60 and 61 of steel or other material that does not mar theball. The oscillation of the ball against the cleaning wheel iscontinuous, the ball being indexed somewhat as it reaches each end ofthe cleaning wheel so that it turns slightly on a somewhat upright axis.

When the cleaning operation has continued for the time determined Vbythe ratchet wheel 90, the eccentric pin 94 pivots the bar 80 and pushesthe ball over the roll 50 from the position B as shown in Fig. 6 andthrough the position B so that the ball falls downwardly to the positionB in contact with thepolishing wheel 36. The polishing operation thentakes place while the ball continues to be oscillated, now by theU-shaped member 61. Prior to the completion of the polishing operationthe eccentric pin 98 on the ratchet wheel engages the shut-olf arm 125and raises the arm to a vertical position. The arm then drops to a lowerposition and in so doing engages the shut-off switch 108 and stops themachine to end the polishing operation. It is then possible for thebowler to lift the lid 13 and remove the ball.

In a machine of the character described designed principally forcleaning and polishing bowling balls approximately 85/8" in diameter adriving roll 50, 11A" in diameter was driven at 350 R. P. M. The centralportion of wheels 30 and 36 were `5" in diameter, the adjacent portions6" in diameter, land the end portions 7 in diameter. Y The wheels weredriven at a speed of 1890 R. P. M. The U-shaped members 60 and 61 wereoscillated'fromfSO tto/55 timesr'- per:k minuter with; al strokeproducingsaballfmovemen'tl of 1%4; In such jiamachin'e complete'coveragef of Zthe :ball` during the ,'cleaning opera-nvtionrwaseobtinedeachfflO secondsiandzcomplete coverage of the` ball:`during 'a polishingi i operation:V was obtained each" secondsf'`APreferably'the machine was timedr for a rcleaningperiod fof'.4V 1%1minutes andi polishing period ofA 3%; minute.'

' I claimtv l`.` Aballcleaningzandfp'olishing :apparatus comprising-arotatable ballf driving member, ,means forl rotating saiddriving;memberitovcause. rotation ofeafball in contacttherewith=,1a1pa`ir otfrotatablef buffers arrangedzsonz opposite sides'`off said" drivingl .member 5 and with their axes substantiallyparalleltorthe axis ofthexdriving 'memberand ends of theVbuiten-saidiengagement-of the rotating ball' with the enlarged ends ofthe buffer causing periodc;;in dexing of the ball, means for shiftingthe ball from one to the otherifot saidibutrscomprisingaf shiftingmember normally positioned below aball` supported on the driving memberand one of the buiersmeans. operable upon completionof theoperationofsaid buier on the ballfto'act'uate said'ballshifting meansand meansfor rotatingthe buffers:

'2i A ball cleaning-an'd-polishingl apparatus as defined inj claim I`lwherein'one-offtherotatable'buiers isa wire brushadaptetlf'to--cleanforeign-matter "from the surface of a ball and theother is a polishing device, and having a timing device comprising apawl and ratchet mechanism, an eccentric driven during the operation ofthe buffers to actuate the pawl, and wherein the means for actuating theball shifting means carriedeccentricallyupon the ratchet wheel and isoperable upon completion of a cleaning interval and a second meanscarried on said ratchet wheel operable upon completion of a polishingoperation to shut down the apparatus. n

3. A ball cleaning and polishing apparatus as defined in claim 2 havinga connection between the eccentric driving the pawl and the rockingdevice.

4. A ball cleaning and polishing apparatus comprising a rotatable balldriving member, means for rotating said driving member to cause rotationof a ball in contact therewith, a pair of rotatable buffers arranged onopposite sides of said driving member and with their axes substantiallyparallel to the axis of the driving member and ata distance therefrompermitting the ball to be supported jointly by said driving member andone of said buffers, each buffer having one of its ends enlarged, arocking device for rolling a ball back and forth over the driving memberand the butter with which it is in Contact and into engagement with theenlarged end of the buffer, said engagement causing periodic indexing ofthe ball, means operable upon completion of the operation of one of saidbuffers on the ball to shift the ball into engagement with the otherbuffer, and means for rotating the buiers.

5. A ball cleaning and polishing apparatus as dened in claim 4 whereinone of the rotatable buffers is a wire brush adapted to clean foreignmatter from the surface of a ball, said apparatus having a timing devicedriven during the operation of the buffers, meansoperable by said timingdevice upon completion of a cleaning interval'to actuate said ballshifting'means and a second means operable by said timing device uponcompletion of a polishingV operation to shut down the apparatus. Y

6. A ball cleaning and polishing apparatus comprising a continuouslyrotating ball driving member, means for rotating said driving member tocause rotation of a ball in contact therewith, a pair of Vrotatablebuffers arranged on; opposite` sides, of-,said;dniyingfmernber and -withtheir axes substantially-parallel to the axis ofthe driving mem.-

ber and at a distance therefrom; permitting the-ball toVengageaagbuifer; whilmdriven by: said driving member, meansfcomplsngballV engaging members oscillatable aboutfanfaxisztransverse ftothe.axis of thedrivins member for; rolling agba'llib'ack and -forth over thebuffer with which itfisfinncontactaV meansforlshifting the ball from onetofthe; other of; said buffers upon completion of the open. ation-of onebufer'withithefball", and means for rotating the buffers.` e

7. A ball: cleaning andpolishing apparatus as defined infclaimz 5Wherein-oneofthe rotatable bnlers is a wire brush-adapted to Vcleanforeign-matter from the surface of 3a-ball andthaviug.,a timingdevicecomprising a pawl.

andfratchet meehanismand anteccentric driven during the operationoofth'e-buffersvto l'actuatethe pawl, means carried eccentricallyupon th'eratchettwheel operable upon completionof; a cleaninginterval to actuatesaid ball shifting means anda second means carried on said ratchet-Wheel operable upon'compl'etionof a polishing operation to;` shut fdownthe r apparatus.

8. A ballrcleaning{andpolishing apparatus as deiinedy in, claim; 7havingf a :connection between the eccentric driving thegpawl 'and therock-ing device.

`9s Ahall cleaningandlpolishing apparatus comprising a'-frameaictontinuously rotating .ball supporting membermounted*onsaidframe,apairoferotatable buffers mounted on said ramerand;varranged onl axes parallel to the axis of andton1 oppositel sides.` ofi said 2 supporting member and at` vmember and the other buffer.

l0. A ball cleaning and polishing apparatus as defined in claim 9 inwhich one buffer is in the form of a wire brush and performs a cleaningoperation, and having a timing device, meansoperable by the timingdevice to actuate the ball shiftingv means and eilectthe shift or" theball from the wire brush to the other buier upon comletion of a cleaningoperation, and additional means operated by the timing device effectiveto shut down the `operation of the machine upon completion of anoperation by said other buffer.V

ll. A ball cleaning and polishing apparatus compris ing, a continuouslyrotating supporting member for causing rotation of a ball in Contacttherewith, a pair of rotatable buffers arranged on opposite sides ofsaid driving member and with their axes substantially parallel to theaxis of the driving member and at a distance therefrom permitting theball to be supported jointly by said driving member and one of saidbuffers, each butter having its lateral extremities of a diameter largerthan the mid portion thereof, means comprising a pair of U-shapedmembers engageable with a ball and oscillatable about an axis normal tothe axis of the driving member for rolling a ball back and forth overthe driving member and the buiier with which it is in contact and intoalternate engagement with the enlarged extremities of the buffer, saidengagement of the rotating ball with the enlarged ends of the bulercausing periodic indexing of the bail about an axis substantially normalto the path of rolling movement of the ball, means for shifting the ballfrom one to the other of said buffers comprising a ringer pivotallymounted beneath the driving member and extending to a position beneath aball supported on the driving member and one of the buffers, said fingerwhen actuated causing movement of the ball into engagement with the 7other buffer, and rotatable timing means operable upon completion of theoperation of said one buier on the ball to actuate said nger.

12. In a ball cleaning and polishing apparatus, in combination, a frame,a continuously rotating ball supporting member mounted in said frame, apair of rotatable buiers mounted in said frame, said buffers beingarranged on axes parrallel to the artis of and on opposite sides of saidsupporting member and at distances there from permitting a ball to besupported jointly by the supporting member and the buter with which itis in contact, means for rotating the buiers, and means mounted on saidframe independently of said ball supporting member and buffers forshifting a ball from one buffer to the other including a member movablebetween the ball supporting member and a buffer to engage and shift aball from engagement with the last mentioned buffer and into engagementwith the other butter.

13. A ball cleaningv and polishing apparatus as dened in claim 12 inwhich one buifer is in the form of a wire brush and performs a cleaningoperation, and having means for moving a ball back and forth across thesurface of the Wire brush during a cleaning operation.

14. A ball cleaning and polishing apparatus as defined in claim 13having a timing device, means operable by the timing device to actuatethe ball shifting means and effect the shift of the ball from the wirebrush to the other buffer upon completion of a cleaning operation andadditional means operated by the timing device effective to shut downthe operation of the machine .upon completion of an operation by saidother buifer.`

15. A ball cleaning and polishing apparatus comprising, a continuouslyrotating supporting and driving member for causing rotation of a ball incontact therewith, a pair of rotatable buiers arranged on opposite sidesof said driving member and with their axes substantially parallel to theaxis of the driving member and at a distance therefrom permitting theball to be supported jointly by said driving member and one of saidbuiers, each buffer having its ends of a diameter larger4 than the midportion thereof, means engageable with a ball and oscillatable about anaxis normal to the axis of the driving member for rolling a ball backand forth over the driving member and the buffer with which it is incontact and into alternate engagement with the enlarged ends of thebuffer, said engagement of the rotating ball with the enlarged ends ofthe buffer causing periodic indexing of the ball about an aXissubstantially normal to the path of rolling movement of th'eball, means'for shifting the ball from one to the other of said buffers comprisinga pivotally mounted element extending to a position beneath a ballsupported onthe driving member and one of the buffers, said element whenactuated causing movement of the ball into engagement with the otherbuier, and rotatable timing means operable upon completion of theoperation of said one buffer on the ball to actuate said element. Y

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,726,161 Murphy Allg. 27, 1929 2,179,459 Vreeland a; Nov. 7, 19392,297,377 Willard .Q Sept. 29, 1942 2,378,418 Lister June 19, 19452,528,341 Creely Oct. 31, 1950 2,588,714 Fleming Mar. 11, 1952

